Effortless beauty

How much effort (and products) does it actually take to look effortless?

Up until a few years ago, there wasn’t anything *effortless* about my makeup routine. Although, I do have to say that I’ve gotten pretty good at the cover-conceal-set routine over time. Years of having to deal with acne will do that to you.

These days, I have a quite different approach; less is better- especially when it comes to foundation.

No secret here: I’ve been obsessing over the Luminous Silk foundation from Armani and yes, it’s that good. It is one of those makeup products that fits perfectly into the *effortless* category because it blends beautifully, has buildable coverage and looks natural. I’ve been adding a little glow by mixing my foundation with Marc Jacobs Dew Drops and the combo is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.

It doesn’t get any more *effortless* than cream shadows and I just can’t get enough of Tom Ford’s duo in Paradiso. This duo is perfection for warm weather looks. Eye makeup? Takes me under two minutes; after blending the base and color, I coat my upper lashes with Maybelline’s one and only Lash Sensational. IT Cosmetics Brow Power on my brows and I’m good. Three products is all it takes.

NARS Soft Matte Concealer goes under my eyes- blends easily, applied using fingers. Even though it has such a light and soft consistency, this baby knows how to cover those dark circles. I’ve tried using it without setting it with powder as well and once I noticed that it didn’t crease, I was sold. I use it in the shade Crème Br^ulée and I was afraid that it’d be a bit too pink for me (then that it’d be too orange), but it actually works perfectly.

I set it all with Hourglass Diffused Light (also an amazing powder to use just under your eyes, to brighten that area) and add more glow with Laura Mercier’s Illuminator in Indiscretion. The combination of the Luminous Silk foundation, Dew Drops and these two powder products gives me the most beautiful, glow-y, yet natural-looking complexion. Of course, I keep it very light with my highlighting products because it’s easy to go from *a nice healthy glow* to *you shine like a disco ball*; especially with Indiscretion being so highly pigmented.

Tom Ford Paradiso Duo, NARS Soft Matte Concealer in Crème Br^ulée, Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 4.5, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Indiscretion, Hourglass Diffused Light, Marc Jacobs Dew Drops, MUFE Lip Booster (tinted) and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Bloom.

To keep it simple and natural with my lips I’ve been using the two almost exclusively: Makeup Forever Tinted Lip Booster and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Bloom*. Both options are beautiful and hydrating (also great if you don’t like wearing lipstick).

Few months ago, I told you all about me going makeup-free for a month, and that, obviously, is a truly *effortless* option- one I sometimes go for. Although I seem to recall a client leaving the office on one of those days telling me to “feel better!” (after I gave her a puzzled look she said “you look like you’re getting sick“). So there’s that.

What does your effortless beauty routine look like? How many products does it involve?

*PR SAMPLES/GIFTED ITEMS